At the Guru’s Door: A Provincial Visit to the Gravesend Gurdwara

On bright weekend afternoon, the Provincial Grand Master led a delegation of more than 150 Freemasons, accompanied by their wives and partners, to one of the most significant and vibrant places of worship in Kent: The Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Darbar in Gravesend. The day marked a further step in the province’s ongoing commitment to interfaith engagement and strengthening relationships with local religious communities.

For many attending, this was their first direct encounter with Sikh worship and tradition. Yet from the moment they stepped through the gurdwara porchway, there was no sense of being strangers. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and hospitality, characteristics fundamental to Sikhism and immediately familiar to Freemasons.

Shared Respect at the Threshold

Visitors followed established customs: shoes were removed, heads covered, and hands washed before entering the sacred space. Far from feeling like ritual for ritual’s sake, these simple acts carried a message that resonated deeply with the Masonic visitors, humility, equality, and respect. Standing together on the same level, all were welcome as equals.

Inside the prayer hall, kirtan, sacred hymns filled the air. The Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scripture, was respectfully situated beneath a canopy, a symbol of the eternal wisdom it holds. A knowledgeable guide explained that Sikhism recognises one God, promotes charity, compassion, and dignity for all; a message that felt instantly familiar to those who uphold the Masonic principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.

Understanding Sikh Belief and History

Throughout the tour, Sikh representatives gave detailed explanations of core Sikh beliefs, including the Three Pillars of Sikh living:

• Naam Japna — remembering God.
• Kirat Karni — earning an honest livelihood.
• Vand Chakna — sharing what one has with others.

The Freemasons learned about the Five Ks worn by initiated Sikhs, and the key role that the Guru Granth Sahib plays as a living teacher. They also discovered the remarkable history of the Gravesend Gurdwara itself, a stunning modern building completed in 2010, funded entirely through community giving, and now one of Europe’s largest gurdwaras.

Its imposing domes and richly decorated interiors reflect both faith and heritage. A testament to the Sikh community’s commitment to welcoming people of all backgrounds.

Langar: Where Equality is Served

The highlight for many guests was the experience of langar, the communal meal offered free to every visitor. Rows of Freemasons sat alongside members of the Sikh congregation, sharing freshly cooked vegetarian food and friendly conversation.

In the langar hall, there are no titles and no distinctions, everyone sits together. This universal hospitality mirrors the core Masonic belief that no man is superior to another within the fraternity, and that charity and service are most meaningful when carried out with humility.

Working Together in Service to the Community

During the visit, the Provincial Grand Master spoke with Sikh community leaders about future cooperation. One significant initiative is already underway: Freemasons with legal expertise, solicitors and paralegals,  volunteering to support the gurdwara’s legal drop-in clinic, assisting individuals in need of advice and representation.

This partnership is a natural extension of both communities’ commitment to helping others. It demonstrates that interfaith engagement is not only about dialogue and understanding, but about working side by side for the common good.

Freemasonry’s Open Door

As one Provincial representative observed, standing together in that sacred space was a powerful reminder of what unites people of different faiths and walks of life:

“What we share is so much greater than what might divide us.”

In Freemasonry, men of all religions stand together as equals — a value that was visibly reflected throughout the visit.
It is this shared appreciation of fraternity, integrity, respect, and service that creates a natural bond between Freemasons and Sikh communities.

The province’s interfaith engagement continues to grow, strengthening harmony and fostering friendships that transcend cultural and religious boundaries. As the Freemasons said their farewells at the close of the visit, many expressed the same sentiment:

This was not simply a tour, it was the beginning of a deeper relationship rooted in goodwill, mutual respect, and the shared desire to make a positive difference in the world.